Award-winning construction company appointed to build new university research facility
Construction firm Henry Boot Construction has been appointed to deliver the next development for the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The development is a new open-access research facility, which will be home to Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS).
Project COMPASS is dedicated to developing and testing new technologies needed to meet future demand for lighter commercial aircraft and support the aviation industry’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
The first research programme to take place in the facility will be the Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project led by aerospace giant Boeing, in partnership with AMRC, Loop Technology and Spirit AeroSystems.
A planning application for the development was approved earlier this year, with Henry Boot Construction getting work underway earlier this month.
Tony Shaw, Managing Director from Henry Boot Construction, said: “We take great pride in being appointed as the lead contractor on the AMRC’s newest research facility.
“As a company with significant experience in the region, we are committed to working with local supply chain partners wherever possible and helping to grow the regional economy,”
Plans for the new facility were confirmed in July this year, and completion is expected by the end of 2024, contributing to South Yorkshire's prominence in the aerospace manufacturing sector.
This collaboration is expected to create around 50 jobs initially, with the possibility of generating 3,000 jobs by the mid-2030s and contributing approximately £2 billion annually to the UK economy in exports.
The building is jointly funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, the University of Sheffield and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
It will house a raft of state-of-the-art equipment secured through a £29.5m grant from the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute Programme.
The Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, emphasised Boeing's confidence in the region's future, while Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council, hailed COMPASS as a significant step toward making the global aviation industry more sustainable and positioning Sheffield as a hub for research and development excellence.
Love Jam hosts its fifth session in Sheffield to celebrate sober music and art
Love Jam, a nationwide collective to celebrate sober music and art, held their fifth Sheffield-based meeting this Wednesday at Highfield Trinity church.
The event consisted of a primarily-music based open mic, followed by the first public performance from African drumming group Unbeatable Energy since 2020, an ‘open jam session’ and finally an ecstatic dance DJ Set.
The events DJ Rachael (known as DJ Caroub) described it as an “evening of music, connectivity and community” for people to get together to soberly share music, passions and meet new people.
Caroub also stressed that the organisation, which is not-for-profit and volunteer-based, is open to everyone with more volunteers needed.
Sheffield group co-organiser Nicky said she felt grateful to be part of the team that allows people to feel seen, safe and express themselves.
Nicky described the sessions as “changing and evolving” differently, with new performances each time.
She said: “It’s all about a free, creative, expressive space for people to feel safe and seen with zero judgement”.
Originating in London with creators Nathan Gallagher and partner Zena, Love Jam events are held nationwide.
Other nearby groups are located in Manchester and Leeds.
The collective also holds national events that they pride on being alcohol free, plant-based and family friendly, including campouts and festivals.
The group can be found on Facebook and Instagram as ‘Sheffield Love Jam’.
Did someone say ‘Jump’?: Girls Aloud are coming to Sheffield
Girls Aloud announced they are reuniting for the first time in ten years in memory of Sarah Harding who died of breast cancer in 2021.
Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle, and Nicola Roberts will be performing at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield in May 2024, as well as touring across the UK and Ireland.
Having made hints on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, they finally confirmed on 22 November tour tickets will be available from 1 December.
Back in July 2022 the band members took part in The Race For Life in Sarah’s honour and to raise awareness for breast cancer research.
Caitlin Kirkwood, 23, from Sheffield, was ready and waiting for the ticket release at 9am this morning. She later secured two tickets for her mum's Christmas present and said: “I don't know if I can keep a secret that big because me and my mum are obsessed with Girls Aloud!”.
Fans have said this will be a lovely opportunity to bring families and friends together and a great chance for Sheffield to host such a famous girl band.
Tabitha Wilson, 22, said: “‘Tangled Up’ was the first ever CD that I bought and I grew up with Girls Aloud music so I'm really excited to go and listen to all my favourite songs with my friends and family."
Helena Stocks, 53, expressed mixed emotions about the reunion tour.
She said: “It's so sad that Sarah won't be part of it but they are celebrating her life. Cheryl said they had discussed a reunion tour before she died but then got too ill, so now it felt it was the right time. It will be a fabulous concert I'm sure."
Locals brand Crookes community garden an “eyesore”
Residents have called for the restoration of a once beloved community garden that has fallen into ruin.
The land at the top of Cobden View Road is currently owned by a developer, who was given permission to build on the land in June 2022.
Despite this, the garden has been fenced off, graffitied on and used as a fly tipping site, leaving locals concerned for its worsening appearance.
The land also had an alleyway that locals would use as a shortcut between Cobden View Road, Crookes high street and towards Westways Primary School which is now inaccessible.
A shop owner on Crookes highstreet, who has been in the area for 16 years, says she remembers when the area was used for a community project where locals and volunteers would tend to the garden.
She said: “It was very pretty and tidy, it had grass, shrubs and flowers. It should be restored to what it was.
“People were very angry about it because it was a beautiful garden that has been destroyed.”
Joanne Cutts, 56, a gym owner has lived in Crookes since birth, she said: “It’s an eyesore, anything would look better, it looks horrendous.
"All they've done is stick a crappy fence up and it looks awful."
Ms Cutts hopes it will be made into a park with some benches as it once was.
Laura Oates, 37, a florist has been in the area for 12 years, she said: “There’s been a lot of talk about it - it would be nice if it was a garden for dog walkers.”
Locals continue to discuss the future of the garden and hope that the community space will be restored.
Mother left feeling ‘vulnerable’ after e-bike theft in Sheffield city centre
A midwife and mother-of-one has been left feeling ‘vulnerable and anxious’ after her e-bike was stolen from a cafe on Union Street.
Freya Priest, 45, was attending one of the intergenerational drumming group Five Rivers Rising’s weekly practices at the Coworking Cafe on the 16th of November, when four males wearing balaclavas entered the property and stole her bike, worth around £1,300.
They also stole another another member of the group’s bag, which contained their laptop and passport.
The incident was captured on camera by Theresa Nelson, a resident of nearby Berona House.
Ms Priest, who used her e-bike to get to work, said she felt grateful for Theresa’s help, stating the only reason her insurance company agreed to pay for the theft was because she had the recording.
This was the second time her bike has been stolen, and the third claim she’s had to make. She now feels that Sheffield is uninsurable for e-bikes.
Despite the negative impact of the crime, Ms Priest has felt supported by the community in Sheffield.
“It makes you feel vulnerable and anxious, but I feel utterly supported by the social networks I have in Sheffield.”
After the theft, she received a lift home from members of the band and found a new friend in Theresa, who comforted her and spoke with the police.
She also said that the band had fundraised to help the student whose bag was stolen, with the group bearing the ‘collective burden of loss’.
The police confirmed that they had attended the scene after reports of a burglary at 8.51pm. They conducted CCTV enquiries, but have not made any arrests.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: “In terms of advice, we would signpost people to our website.
“We have a dedicated page on how to keep bikes safe: https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/find-out/crime-prevention-advice/bike-safety-and-security/
“The advice includes which locks we recommend you use when securing your bike and what equipment you need.”
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call 101 and quote incident number 911.
Launch of the Gamemaker Project – South Yorkshire’s plea for more referees
South Yorkshire Referees have launched the Gamemaker Project with hopes to increase the amount of Rugby in South Yorkshire after struggling due to injuries and unavailability.
The Gamemaker Project hopes to encourage participation through offering free training, resources and kit to people who are interested in becoming a Gamemaker.
If Gamemakers enjoy the project and think referring is for them, they will have the opportunity to receive a free membership to South Yorkshire Referees.
South Yorkshire Referees hosted a sign-up session on Monday 27th of November at the University of Sheffield, where many budding people showed up to express their interest in becoming a Gamemaker.
Ben Nuttall, 24, from Rotherham, attended the session on Monday. He said: “I have no rugby officiating experience prior to this, but I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and have been a football referee for nine years.
I wanted to try something new. I’ve always admired the respect and the manner in which the game of rugby is played - so different to football. I’ve wanted to do it for a while but couldn’t find a course. When this course came available and as a bonus it was free, I jumped at the opportunity.”
26 candidates, representing over ten clubs, showed up to the session on Monday, with 11 people signing up to be a South Yorkshire Referee member. Ten women and four keen Young Match Officials were among the people who joined the session.
Mr Nuttall said: “It’s an opportunity for people to get involved with sport overall. It allows people to take up officiating when they may not have considered it before and it allows those that play to ensure they can have a game. As they say, no ref, no game. This looks to change that.
Just that I think it’s a fantastic idea and I hope that it gets the publicity it deserves and more people sign up to help the game continue to make lives better.”
After individual's attend their free introduction to refereeing course, they officially become a Gamemaker.
If South Yorkshire Referees cannot cover a club's rugby game, the Gamemaker of the club takes over so that the game can still go ahead.
In return, South Yorkshire Referees will prioritise the rugby club who lost out on a referee for their next home game.
South Yorkshire Referees tease another sign-up session in the new year, so keep your eyes peeled.
Who will be the next Rotherham manager?
Since Matt Taylor was sacked on November 13, a number of names have been thrown into the conversation, but who will be the next Rotherham United manager?
As the search drags on, the Millers sit mired in 23rd, seven points adrift of safety, despite caretaker boss Wayne Carlisle picking up a crucial point against Leeds on November 24.
The club have confirmed that Carlisle will remain in charge for Saturday’s game against Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City, but he appears to be out of contention for the permanent job.
Speaking after the club’s crushing 4-1 defeat to high-flying Hull City, he said: “I think it will be someone else, I’ve got to be honest."
"The chairman and the club, I think they looked elsewhere in the last few days from what I can gather.”
The club have conceded 11 goals in their last three away games and have only got one of their 12 points away from home.
Former Southampton boss Nathan Jones has been heavily rumoured for the job, and remains the odds-on favourite at 2/1, according to William Hill.
However, BBC Sheffield journalist Rob Stanton recently gave an update on the situation, tweeting: “Been asked about Nathan Jones and Rotherham given bookies odds. My understanding is Jones won’t be the next #RUFC boss.”
Another name that has been circulating is former Wigan boss Leam Richardson, who has been without a job since departing the Latics just over a year ago.
Richardson guided Wigan to the League One title in the 2021/22 season, but was sacked after the club struggled to adjust to life in the Championship. His odds are set at 5/2 according to William Hill.
Former Millers boss and a man infamous in this part of the world, Steve Evans has also been linked with the job, after his Stevenage side have defied all expectations to sit fourth in League One.
The Scottish manager enjoyed a hugely successful spell during his three-year tenure at Rotherham between 2012 and 2015, winning back-to-back promotions to take them to the Championship.
Chris Wilder is the final name on the list, with the 56-year-old being without a job since leaving Watford in the summer.
Although best remembered for his time as Sheffield United boss, where Wilder led his boyhood club from League One to the Premier League, the former right-back made 158 appearances for Rotherham during his playing days, the most he made for any club.
Odds for Next Rotherham Manager (according to William Hill)
Nathan Jones - 2/1
Leam Richardson - 5/2
Chris Wilder - 5/1
Wayne Carlisle - 10/1
Steve Evans - 16/1
Neil Warnock - 28/1
“Black hole” wait times for trans healthcare may be as high as 22 years at Sheffield’s gender identity clinic
A Sheffield trans woman fears she will "more likely die first" than receive the treatment she desperately needs from Sheffield's gender clinic to fully transition to female.
Newly-released information has revealed that fewer than 1% of people on the trans healthcare waiting list for Sheffield’s Porterbrook Gender Identity Clinic were seen last month.
Amber, 45, made a freedom of information request that showed only eight of the 2,302 trans people on the clinic's waiting list got appointments between 22 October and 22 November this year.
At that rate of care, Amber says it would take more than 22 years for everyone on the list to be seen.
Amber said: “If I’m not going to get seen by Porterbrook in two decades, that’s a quarter of my life before I can even start living normally. Living as me. It makes life very, very pointless. I get repeated suicidal thoughts because what’s the point?”
When approached for comment on its wait times, Porterbrook clinic replied: “We provide up to date information about our waiting times on our website.”
The website says: “We are currently booking appointments for people who were referred to the service in July 2018. The longest wait time is currently 62 months as of September 2023.”
According to Amber, however, those figures are deceptive. “62 months would only be a meaningful number if they were working through the waiting list at the same rate people were being added.”
The rate of patients joining the list currently far outpaces the rate of patients being seen. In November last year, there were already 1,865 people on it. Since then, there have been 437 new patients added. At Porterbrook's current rate of eight patients per month, it would take more than four years to just get through those newly-added patients.
Amber said the mental health toll of waiting has been severe. When she first sought trans care from Porterbrook in autumn 2021, she was suicidal. “I knew that I either needed to do something about transitioning, or I may as well kill myself,” she said.
Amber has been forced to go private for her hormone replacement therapy, the medicine she needs to lower her testosterone and increase her estrogen levels. She has been unable to receive care for the other treatments she needs, including counselling, top and bottom surgery, hair removal, and voice training to feminise her speech.
Research has found that trans people facing high wait times for gender clinic care are at greater risk of harming themselves, having suicidal thoughts, and experiencing depression.
Heather Paterson, co-chair of Sheffield LGBTQ+ Multi-Agency Network and CEO of SAYiT Sheffield, said: “We are seeing more young people presenting with increasingly severe mental health difficulties. People feel like they don't matter, facing the black hole of never-ending waiting lists that they don't think they will ever see the front of.”
Ms Paterson explained that many trans people feel forced to “DIY transition,” either resorting to unregulated treatments without proper supervision, or paying exorbitantly expensive private health care costs.
At Harley Street Gender Clinic, a private clinic in London, the initial consultation for trans care alone costs £575. Some trans people have felt forced to turn to online fundraising websites such as Go Fund Me to access trans healthcare.
Ms Paterson said: “Currently the conversations about trans healthcare in the UK are being dominated by people who aren't using the services with trans voices being erased. We need to run a health service informed by the best available health information and international best practice, not a political agenda."
Breaking: Sheffield Parkway closed following multi-vehicle collision
Sheffield Parkway has been closed between Derek Dooley Way and Prince of Wales Road after a multi-vehicle collision. Emergency services are at the scene and South Yorkshire Police have urged people to stay clear of the area. Eyewitnesses have reported seeing an air ambulance present at the scene.
More to follow.
“Women should just be free to exist”: The 16 Days Campaign in Sheffield
The University of Sheffield's Women's Officer called out "lad culture" as one of the main issues facing women, as the 16 Days campaign began last weekend.
The campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December, was created to educate people about gendered violence and how to tackle it. It began with the Sheffield Reclaim the Night march, last Saturday.
Zoe Lancaster, The University of Sheffield’s Women’s Officer, said: “Obviously there’s so many issues I think there’s not just one that is the most important but one that I think really needs to be tackled is this sort of lad culture.
“This sort of lad culture is and can be very misogynistic and young men especially now with people like Andrew Tate on social media, it's quite easy for young men to get sucked into that sort of thought pattern of not viewing women as their equals.”
The University has been active in putting on events for the 16 Days, which include drop-in sessions to provide women a safe space to air their concerns, socials specifically for queer women, and an art therapy session.
Sheffield City Council hold a monthly vigil on the first Thursday of every month for women who have been victims of femicide. They meet outside of the City Hall and honour the lives of those we have lost.
At the Parliamentary Reception held by The Phoenix Pledge, which tackles the culture that enables gender-based violence and highlights this as a freedom issue, dedicated women’s rights advisor and great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst, Helen Pankhurst CBE said: “Despite the laws, women’s experiences are that there’s a curfew for absolutely every single woman in this space. There’s a curfew about when and where you can be out.”
One of the main focuses of the 16 Days campaign is educating young people on gendered violence and how to spot misogynistic behaviour.
The Safe Spaces Now project, created by UN Women, works closely with music festivals such as Sheffield’s Tramlines, as these areas tend to be hotspots for gendered violence. Their trained active bystanders, nicknamed guardian angels, are placed throughout venues to intervene if someone is being harassed.
Atonte Semira, the Head of Community at United Nations Women UK, said: "Women should just be free to exist.
“The more people we train, the more members of the public understand not just how to be an active bystander [...] but also they understand the issue and pass that message on as well.”
Sheffield dog shelters say they are “unequipped” after rise in abandoned American XL Bullies
The government ban on American Bully XL dogs could lead to increased abandonment rates, leading Sheffield animal shelters and charities have warned.
Following the recent rise in attacks and fatalities, the American Bully XL has been added to the list of banned dog breeds in England and Wales under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Following the announcement animal shelters and kennels across Sheffield have seen a rise in the abandonment of American XL Bullies, as well as dogs similar in appearance to the Bully, but don’t fall under the government's definition of them.
A representative of the Mill House Animal Sanctuary (MHAS) said they have been inundated by owners trying to give up their dogs.
She said: “We’ve definitely had more abandoned Bullies. We had two this morning that they were trying to get rid of, but we had to refuse.”
The ban will make it illegal for animal shelters to rehome the breed, forcing shelters to refuse accepting them.
The rising abandonment rates have overstretched charities, who are unable to bear veterinary expenses to neuter them.
MHAS said: “We don’t just take dogs. We have cats, horses, birds and we’re underequipped to take large dogs. It’s not the dogs’ fault but the irresponsible owners, but we’re simply unequipped to take large dogs.
“We just don’t know what to do with them.”
Cass Bailey of Barnsley Animal Rescue said they have stopped accepting American XL Bullies.
She said: “We don’t have any bullies in our care at the moment and we’ve stopped taking them because we know we won’t be able to rehome them past January.”
The government announced that starting 1 February, it will be illegal to own, breed, rehome, abandon or sell XL bully dogs. However, owners can apply for a Certificate of Exemption for their dogs but will have to leash and muzzle their dogs in public.
The announcement has sent owners scrambling to procure exemptions for their dogs and adhere to the new stipulations for owning the breed.
Earlier this month, two dogs, believed to be XL bullies were seized following an attack on a dog and its owner in Firth Park.
South Yorkshire Police said that XL Bully dogs account for 25 per cent of seizures.
Miss Bailey said: “I think any dog can be nasty. Puppies aren’t born nasty. It’s what people do to them that makes them nasty.”
Sheffield’s Santa’s Grotto catering for allergies and sensory needs: “It keeps the magic alive”
A community food bank has organised a Christmas grotto this weekend that can adapt to children with food allergies and sensory needs to ensure every child can visit Santa this year.
The ‘Jingle and Mingle’ Christmas fundraiser, by the S12 Community Pantry, is taking place on Sunday 3rd December at the Frenchville Sports and Social Club car park.
Lights and music can be altered so children with sensory needs are not overwhelmed, families will be allocated time slots for those that struggle with queues, and alternative selection boxes will be provided to cater for allergies.
Jayne Mason, organiser of the S12 Pantry, wanted to make the event as inclusive as possible so no child feels left out this Christmas. Entry to the Grotto is £2, helping families struggling with financial hardship, and is wheelchair accessible.
She said: “I have three children and they’ve all gone to see Santa. It’s an exciting time for them and to not be able to go because you’ll be getting something you can’t eat, it spoils it, whereas if you give them something allergy free, it keeps the magic alive for them.”
Many parents struggle during the holidays to find events that will be suitable for their children and often inclusive events can become more expensive.
Samantha, whose son has ADHD, autism and a dairy allergy, struggles every year to find an accommodating event as he finds crowds and loud noises hard to deal with.
Jayne offered her the last booking of the day to avoid queuing and created a bespoke selection box suitable for his allergies. Samantha added: "She's been lovely."
She said: “You can’t change the world for your child, but you’ve got to try and make it easier for them. So when you do find a service that is more inclusive and more helpful, it makes you feel like you’re not alone.”
Tom Purser, Head of Guidance, Volunteering and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society said: “It’s absolutely key for parents and carers to think about ways to enjoy the festive season that works for them and their families. Don’t feel pressured into doing things just because 'that's what everybody else does.'"
The pantry plans to make all their events as inclusive as possible.